ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 9

On Threshold Values That Separate Pedestrian Walkways That Are Slip Resistant from Those That Are Not
Marpet, MI
St. John's University, NY

(Received 15 September 1995; accepted 10 October 1995)

Abstract

Pedestrian accidents generate significant direct, morbidity and mortality costs. Slip accidents are generally a result of a number of factors. One factor that has received considerable attention is the walkway-surface slipperiness. It is desirable to be able to isolate, to the extent possible, the contribution of the walkway surface to slipperiness.

It has been the practice of those involved in evaluating walkway slip resistance to test the floor against a standard test foot under specified conditions and compare the results of that testing against a threshold. Those walkway surfaces that produce a friction coefficient above the threshold are considered acceptable.

Past and present tests and associated thresholds are discussed. Abuse issues are discussed.

It is recommended that field tests measure the available friction with a tribometer capable of correctly characterizing the friction model experienced by the pedestrian and compare that against a utilized friction threshold, determined by normative or force-plate means, for activities foreseeable in the area where a fall occurs.

Keywords:
forensic science, walkway safety, friction threshold, slip accidents

Paper ID: JFS13992J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13992J
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